Taylor Coffman thinks caretaking is hot
A Fresh Story Podcast, season 9, episode 1
We chatted with Taylor Coffman, an actor, author, and patient advocate, who shared her inspiring story of resilience after a rare disease diagnosis. Taylor's acting career, marked by versatility and depth, includes roles on "Silicon Valley" and "Feud: Bette and Joan." Her life took a dramatic turn during the birth of her daughter, leading her to become a passionate patient advocate and storyteller.
Taylor shared how she survived multiple organ failures, emphasizing the importance of a strong support system and effective communication with healthcare providers. Her husband Zach played a crucial role in her recovery, advocating for her when she couldn’t speak. Taylor’s experiences inspired her to write for Substack Rare Disease Girl, where she chronicles her journey with humor and authenticity, aiming to educate and empower others facing similar challenges.
We explored Taylor’s journey of navigating life with a chronic illness, the impact on her relationships, and her approach to parenting. Taylor discussed her upcoming book, which covers relationships, career, and gratitude, highlighting the importance of embracing vulnerability and finding strength. Her story is a powerful testament to the human spirit's resilience and the transformative power of fresh starts.
As an actor, author, and patient advocate, Taylor Coffman has captivated audiences with her unique blend of humor and authenticity sharing her inspiring personal story of survival and resilience after an extremely violent and rare disease diagnosis.
Before her disease, Taylor's acting career on stage and screen was marked by versatility and depth. A storyteller with disarming humor, Taylor has a particularly extensive background in comedy, having worked on Jimmy Kimmel Live, studying at Upright Citizens Brigade, traveling with musical comedy shows to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as well as a recurring role on season 2 of HBO's Silicon Valley directed by Mike Judge, Life in Pieces on CBS, and Rachel Dratch’s Late Night Snack on TruTV. She also appeared in Feud: Bette and Joan directed by Ryan Murphy.
In addition, Taylor has over a decade of experience in creative project management in media, including former operations lead for LAist Studios, an award-winning podcast production studio.
Everything in Taylor’s life ground to a halt during the birth of her daughter. Her delivery triggered atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, leaving Taylor near death with multiple organ failure. Defying all odds, her experience inspired her to work as a patient advocate, empowering others with their life-changing diagnosis.
Taylor’s message of patient empowerment quickly gained momentum. In her article for the Huffington Post, I Spent Weeks Near Death In The ICU. Asking My Doctors To Do This 1 Thing May Have Saved My Life, Taylor shares how her medical catastrophes forever changed how she approaches her own healthcare. The article topped Apple News as the #1 story, garnering nearly 1 million impressions in 48 hours.
Taylor Coffman has shared her story as keynote speaker at the aHUS Foundation Conference, as well as sharing her story to the FDA, the American Society of Hematologists, and The Moth among others.
At the intersection of disability, motherhood and adapting to a new chronic illness, Taylor began writing for Substack Rare Disease Girl - which chronicles her experience of living with a rare medical condition and navigating life’s inevitable challenges. In Taylor’s upcoming book, she hopes to educate and advocate for patients, as well as to bring more awareness to life with chronic illness. Bridging her comedy and project management expertise, she naturally weaves together the harsh reality of her difficult healthcare journey with light, laughter, and ultimate path to greater purpose and healing. Taylor lives in Santa Monica with her husband Zach, daughter July, and rescue dog, Sunny.
Follow Taylor on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorcoffmanmade/
Sign up for her Substack: https://taylorcoffman.substack.com/
Huffington Post piece: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/rare-disease-girl-healthcare-advocate_n_65a86c22e4b00bbb446dd02b